Just a few weeks after a high scoring cup tie which went in Aberdare's favour the sides met in a league encounter at Cambrian's 3G pitch on a wet afternoon. Cam Sage returned to the starting line up with Liam John beginning on the bench as the only change from the previous week's narrow defeat. The 5th minute saw a Macauley Morgan shot saved for a corner, Oscar Din netting from the cross but ruled offside. Aber's Dylan Pearce palmed away an effort after 12 minutes, while Sage sent in Will De Sousa on the quarter hour but he shot wide. The hosts had a good attack in the 20th minute only to blaze over, Aber having to clear 3 minutes later after a scramble in the box. Within 5 minutes Sage played in Morgan but the home 'keeper thwarted his effort. The clearest opportunity came in the 32nd minute as a Pentyrch player ran free past Pearce but still shot past the post. No score at the break but the visitors only took 2 minutes of the second half as Morgan sent in De Sousa to take the lead. On the hour Hadley Taylor replaced Cai Mackenzie, a Morgan drive soon being saved well by the home No. 1. 67 minutes saw Morgan through but was unable to hit the target. Substitutes Kai Davies and new signing Jacob Blake replaced Sage and Jack Salmon. Pressure from the hosts on 70 minutes saw a dubious free kick on the edge of the box rifled home for the equalizer. 2 minutes later a home left corner was emphatically headed in for a 2-1 advantage. The 80th minute saw John replace Din, the considerable Aber following celebrating on 83 minutes as a free kick on the right from Player of The Match Kellan Webb into a crowded home 6 yard box saw Taylor net from close range. Stoic Aberdare defending from all the participants saw the 6 minutes added time pass without incident for a well deserved draw to end an enjoyable encounter. Saturday 6th September sees a second home meeting with Caerphilly Athletic at 2.00 p.m. in the Dragon Signs Amateur Trophy. Team: Dylan Pearce, Callum Tandy, Kellan Webb, Kieran Rodway, Lee Hartshorn, Jack Salmon (Kai Davies), Oscar Din (Liam John), Cai Mackenzie (Hadley Taylor), Macauley Morgan, Will de Sousa, Cam Sage (Jacob Blake) Subs not used: Nathan Sage Player of the Match: Kellan Webb

Report by Ray Pearce Published 23 August 2025